Box



Feb. Z4, 1931. M. K. sHlLLlNG 'i1-.793,639

BOX

Filed sept. 18, 1929' s, W//f//f/A.

M. E. Schi Zzfzfg Patented Feb. 24,1931

i MATTHEW K. sen1in3mini,l or NEW ORLEANS, Louisiane Box . Application l'd September 18, 1929. vSerial l\To. 393,497.'

' This invention relates to knockdown boxes and has for its object the provisionof box which may be easily set up or taken apart and in which the sides will be reinforced whenv in use and the top and bottom will be accu- Vrately centered to Vfacilitate thefproperV assembling of the same with the sides. The invention also has for its obj ect the provision of novel means for locking the top and bottom d) in place. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying` ydrawing and will be hereinafter fully set f0rth.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view ofmy im- 35 proved box arranged for use.

Fig. 2 isjan enlarged perspective view ofY the `corner post, and

VFigs. 3 and 4 are enlarged detail sections showing the manner of locking the top and bottom in place.

In carrying out the invention, there is pro- `vided a plurality of side members 1 which Y may be of any light inexpensive material,

such as cardboard, and whichmay be formed in one integral structureto be collapsed when the device is not in use or may be separate elements each havingthe dimensions of one side of the contemplated box. The side members rest upon abottom 2 which may be of light boards or wooden material but Vmay be of one or more plies of heavy cardboard. The bottom is preferably of rectangular outline and at its corners is notched, as shown at 3,

to accommodate a corner post 4. It will be understood 'that the side members rest. at their lower edges on the bottom near the margins thereof, and a top 5 is restedV on the upper edges of the side members, the top,

Q like the bottom, having notches 6 at its corners to receive the upper portions of the corner post 4. The corner'p'osts, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, may be of stout wire ork light rods and each post has a head 7 at its lower end whereby itis adaptedto retain `coils 8 thereon. The upper end of each post is carried laterally, as at 9, to extend over the top 5 and at the end of this lateral arm or extension is formed into a depending spur or ,o vhook 10 adapted to enter an opening 11 pro- D vided therefor in the top whereb;T the top will be iirmlyheld in place.V A' plurality of coils- Bare mounted upon each' corner post andthes-e coils are disposed in superimposed relation' so'that eachcoil, exceptthe lower- N most, will be supportedby the coil intime diately below it, the lowermost coil, asstated, being supported by vthe head F rom the lowermost coil extends a lateral arm l2 which Y i passes under the bottom 2, as shown in Fig. 4,'-and has its terminaliformed'into Van up- $0 standing eye 13 which passesupthrough an opening 14 `provided therefor lin the bottom.

Asecur'ing ring`15 is-engaged through theV eye I 13' and rests upon the bottom 2, as shown in Fig; 4, whereby to retain the eyein' engage- 65 ment with the bottom. From` eachnpper Y I coil 8, thewire forming the same is lextended along the/side' of the boxipas shwn at'l', to the oppositefcorner and lis there formedinto a corresponding coil 8* so. thatfa reinforcef 7,05 V

ment is provided against the Vouter surface of each side me'mlxer.` of the boxv and which reinforcement terminatesA atboth ends'in a, coil'.. i encircling the respective corner posts# The v' lmp amy be provided-Walla handie" 1 7 of 75* any approved form to ing'of'the box.

kThe box is shown asv arrangedffor the shipping of eggs and itis the intention that the box be returned to the original shipper vita cilitate vthe carrylin'ja knock-down condition, but, kof course,

any desired.merchandise or articlesmay be dispcsedvwithin the box, the proportionsoic the box being varied as may be needed to meet the conditions of any particular use'. For 85 shipping eggs, the usual collapsible cells are provided consisting `ot partitions V18 and pocket diaphragme or plates 19 having pockets 2() formed therein at regular intervals to be disposed within 4rectangles defined by the 90 partitions when the parts are assembled. The pockets 20lin thelowermost plate serve not only to provide cupsV in which the eggs may f seat but also space the plate above thebottom of the box so as to accommodate the 'fastening ringl and the eye 13. f Y In assembling the box, the corner vposts with the coilsand reinforcing wires carried thereby areengag-ed at their lower ends in the notches at the corners of .the bottom and the ice arms 12 are extended under the bottomV and Y their terminal eyes insertedupwardly therethrough after which the locking rings l5 are engaged in said eyes, as will be'understood.

The side members, whether separate pieces or a contmuouscreased strip, are then set on edge upon the bottomI against the` reinforcing wires and the topk or lid is thenimposed upon the sides, the notched corners being easily'engaged with the upper portions of the-posts. 'lh-e retaining arms or` extensions `Qlare then swung over the top so that the hooked ends l0 thereof may be engaged in the openings ll in the top to secure the` latter in place. To

collapse the box, the hooks 1,0 are withdrawn fromthe 'openingsll vand the arms-9.' then swung, out? beyond v.the vmargins of :the top which may then be lifted from the box, After thegcontents of thefbox are removeththe retaining arms '12 are released from-the bottom so that the side-reinforcements may be foldedtogether and placed flat upon the vbottom, and the side members may be collapsed with and remain within the wire frameik. The

posts seated in the notchesin the top andk bottom, a retaining arm extending laterally v from .the upperend of each post and having its terminal turned'downwardly to engage an opening in the top whereby tohold the top in.

place, and means carried by the lower ends of theposts toretainthebottom in place.

Y ,5. A-,boxcomprisinga top, a bottom each having notches in its corners, sides disposed between the top andthe bottom, postsseated -in 'the-notches Aat the'co'rners of the top and bottom, means at the upper ends of the posts to retain the top in place, yheads at the lower ends of theposts, retaining arms fitted upon theposts and. supported by said 'heads and extending under-the bottom ofthe box,`eyes atl the 'freefends of said `arms adaptedtoextend vupwarclly through thebottonn land rctainersengaged through said eyes and rest- 4ingonthe bottom. n M i Y ln-testimony whereof' affix my signature.

MATTHEV l. SCHILLING. [L: s] Y top may-thenfbefplaeed rover the reinforce) ments-so-thatyaiiat bundle will-be produced and-the parts maybe secured against separation intheir disassembled orknoek-down condition by being tieldwith stout twine ,or by any otherwell knownmeans. I'It will be-understood, of course, that, in collapsing, the wire vframes A rotateion the corner posts.,

The device 1s especially desir-able'for shipping-goods, such Vals shoesVwhichfare placed inca-rtons, asit provides excellent protection tothe cartons'to prevent crushing thereof, and several collapsedvvboxes may be made v.intofone `bundle-and returned tothe con- Vsignorat a great saving inshipping costs.

"Having thus l described -the k invention, 1

posts against the -outer surfaces of the sides.

'3. A box comprising sides, a top and-a bottom each having notchesat its corners, posts engaged in Vthe cornerrnotches of the top and bottom, means at the ends of the posts to retaintheutop and bottomin place, coils encircling the posts, and reinforcing strands connecting and extending between corresponding coils at .adj acentcorners. A

4. .A box-comprising sides, a top and a bottom each-having notches .at its corners, 

